13/10/2017 IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics: May 2018

Dr Phil Joyce
IB Theory of Knowledge Tutor

Menu IB ToK Essay Titles and

Topics: May 2018
Here are links to ideas and suggestions relating to the the six May 2018 IB ToK Essay topics:
Topic 1. Are interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge confusing?
Topic 2. More knowledge increases doubt. (Goethe quote)
Topic 3. Knowledge requires an assumption of uniformity.
Topic 4. Suspension of disbelief is essential to knowledge.
Topic 5. Historical duration of disciplines of knowledge.
Topic 6. Robust knowledge requires both concensus and disagreement.
I briey mention some points to consider for each topic below; however, the personalised service I offer is tailored to each student.

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If you require personal help choosing your May 2018 ToK essay topics, I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send details of my
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Title 1: concerns whether interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge are confusing.

Thoughts to consider with essay 1 include:
what questions are distinctive of each academic discipline?
what methods of enquiry are distinctive of each discipline?
can different disciplines share common conceptual schemes?
If you require tailored help with topic 1 of the May 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details
of my services and fees:

Title 2: concerns whether more knowledge increases doubt and includes a Goethe
quote.
Thoughts to consider with essay 2 include:
what is a paradox?
to what extent is the growth of knowledge the growth of our conceptual schemes?
is the ability to ask new questions simply increased ignorance or increased doubt?
If you're considering answering topic 2 of the May 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details
of my services and fees:

Title 3: concerns whether knowledge requires an assumption of uniformity.

Thoughts to consider with essay 3 include:
what are the different kinds of uniformity?
is the possession of a concept knowing a rule?
do laws of nature exist in reality or only in our minds?
If you'd like to discuss topic 3 of the May 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my
services and fees:
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13/10/2017 IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics: May 2018

Title 4: concerns whether the suspension of disbelief is essential to knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 4 include:
what is the relation between belief and imagination?
is supposition a kind of imagination?
how do we detect inconsistency in our belief systems?
If you'd like help with topic 4 of the May 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my
services and fees:

Title 5: concerns the historical duration of disciplines of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 5 include:
how can knowledge have "quality"?
how, if at all, do we measure the quantity of knowledge?
how are new academic disciplines born?
If you're considering addressing topic 5 of the May 2018 ToK essay titles, then by all means email me and I'll send you details of my
services and fees:

Title 6: concerns whether robust knowledge requires both concensus and

disagreement.
Thoughts to consider with essay 6 include:
isn't all knowledge robust? Isn't it belief that is not?
does knowledge rely on opinion?
what is the difference between rational and non-rational disagreement?
If you're writing on topic 6 of the May 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be happy to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services
and fees:

Page Contents
1. Concerns whether interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge are confusing.
2. Concerns whether more knowledge increases doubt and includes a Goethe quote.
3. Concerns whether knowledge requires an assumption of uniformity.
4. Concerns whether the suspension of disbelief is essential to knowledge.
5. Concerns the historical duration of disciplines of knowledge.
6. Concerns whether robust knowledge requires both concensus and disagreement.
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